FOLDABLE PEDAL

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable pedal.Description of the Prior Art

[0002] A bicycle is driven by the rider pedaling on the pedals. The pedal is an important component used to bear the pedaling force and drive the crank and sprocket(s) to rotate. The arrangement relationship of the pedal and the crank can considerably affect the rider's pedaling experience, stability of pedaling, and efficiency of power transmission.

[0003] However, it is mostly concerned in this technical field to focus on improving influence of the pedal on the bicycle in the riding state, but it is ignored that the influence of the pedal on the bicycle in the stop state. Since the pedal is protrusive from the outermost two sides in the width direction of the bicycle, when the bicycle is in the stop state, the protrusive pedal can easily collide with people or objects around the rider, causing damage to people or objects or causing the bicycle to tip over. Moreover, for a foldable bicycle, the protrusive pedals can also cause damage to the bicycle, and the overall volume of the bicycle cannot be highly reduced after folding.

[0004] Document JP 3 020645 U discloses a foldable pedal according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] Document CN 2 470 234 Y discloses a conventional foldable pedal, which comprises an inner pivot base, an outer pedal frame pivoted outside the inner pivot base, and a positioning unit which penetrates the outer pedal frame, wherein the positioning unit is provided with a locating rod, a set of elastic elements arranged at the outer side of the locating rod, and an actuator which is movably pivoted to the locating rod.

[0006] The present invention is arisen to obviate or at least mitigate the above-mentioned disadvantages.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The main object of the present invention is to provide a foldable pedal which can effectively reduce the size of the foldable pedal and the size of the bicycle in the parked or folded state.

[0008] To achieve the above and other objects, a foldable pedal according to claim 1 is provided, wherein the foldable pedal includes: a pedal frame including two first frame portions, a second frame portion and two blocking portions, the two first frame portions respectively extending in an action direction, the second frame portion being transversely connected to and between the two first frame portions to define an inner region, the two blocking portions respectively projecting from the two first frame portions and being gradually close to each other in a direction transverse to the action direction; a base including a main body, a positioning body and at least one first coupling unit, the positioning body being disposed on the main body, the at least one first coupling unit being disposed on the positioning body, the main body being rotatably connected to the pedal frame so that the pedal frame is swingable relative to the base between an unfolded position and a folded position, wherein when the pedal frame is located in the unfolded position, the positioning body is located in the inner region and is blockable by the two blocking portions in the action direction, and when the pedal frame is located in the folded position, the positioning body is released from the inner region; and a positioning member including at least one second coupling unit engageable with the at least one first coupling unit, and located between the two first frame portions and movable in the inner region in the action direction; wherein when the at least one first coupling unit and the at least one second coupling unit disengaged from each other, the pedal frame is freely swingable relative to the base between the unfolded position and the folded position, and when the at least one first coupling unit and the at least one second coupling unit are engaged with each other, the pedal frame is restricted in the unfolded position.

[0009] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiment(s) in accordance with the present invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Fig. 1 is a stereogram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a breakdown drawing of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a drawing showing a pedal frame located in an unfolded position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a drawing showing the pedal frame located in a folded position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Please refer to Figs. 1 to 6 for an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A foldable pedal of the present invention includes a pedal frame 1, a base 2 and a positioning member 3.

[0012] The pedal frame 1 includes two first frame portions 11, a second frame portion 12 and two blocking portions 16, the two first frame portions 11 respectively extends in an action direction 6, the second frame portion 12 is transversely connected to and between the two first frame portions 11 to define an inner region 17, and the two blocking portions 16 respectively project from the two first frame portions 11 and are gradually close to each other in a direction transverse to the action direction 6.

[0013] The base 2 includes a main body 21, a positioning body 22 and at least one first coupling unit 23, the positioning body 22 is disposed on the main body 21, the at least one first coupling unit 23 is disposed on the positioning body 22, and the main body 21 is rotatably connected to the pedal frame 1 so that the pedal frame 1 is swingable relative to the base 2 between an unfolded position and a folded position. When the pedal frame 1 is located in the unfolded position, the positioning body 22 is located in the inner region 17 and is blockable by the two blocking portions 16 in the action direction 6, and when the pedal frame 1 is located in the folded position, the positioning body 22 is released from the inner region 17.

[0014] Specifically, when the pedal frame 1 is located in the unfolded position, the positioning body 22 is blocked by the two blocking portions 16 in the action direction 6, which can ensure that the pedal frame 1 cannot disengage from the base 2 in the action direction 6 after being stepped on so that it can effectively improve the combination of the base 2 and the pedal frame 1 to maintain riding safety.

[0015] The positioning member 3 includes at least one second coupling unit 31 engageable with and the at least one first coupling unit 23, the positioning member 3 is located between the two first frame portions 11 and movable in the inner region 17 in the action direction 6. Specifically, the pedal frame 1 further includes two grooves 15 extending in the action direction 6 and through the first frame portion 11 and the blocking portion 16, respectively, and two sides of the positioning member 3 are slidably inserted in the two grooves 15.

[0016] When the at least one first coupling unit 23 and the at least one second coupling unit 31 are disengaged from each other, the pedal frame 1 is freely swingable relative to the base 2 between the unfolded position and the folded position, and when the at least one first coupling unit 23 and the at least one second coupling unit 31 are engaged with each other, the pedal frame 1 is restricted in the unfolded position, for stable pedaling. In this embodiment, the at least one first coupling unit includes two first coupling units 23 which are grooves, and the at least one second coupling unit includes two second coupling units 31 which are projections.

[0017] Specifically, the main body 21 is rotatably connected to and between the two blocking portions 16, and a distance between two sides 221 of the positioning body 22 facing the two first frame portions 11 increases in a direction away from the main body 21 so that a largest distance between the two sides 221 is larger than a largest distance between the two blocking portions 16, achieving the purpose of interfering and blocking each other in the action direction 6. Each side 221 is inclined to the action direction 6, and an end of each of the two blocking portions 16 adjacent to the second frame portion 12 matches one of the two sides 221 of the positioning body 22.

[0018] Specifically, the two second coupling units 31 are respectively disposed on the two sides 221 so that a larger space can be provided between the two sides 221 for arrangement of the second coupling unit 31, and thus the second coupling unit 31 provides a large area / region for combination thereof with the first coupling unit 23 and effectively improves engagement and evenly distributes the stress.

[0019] The foldable pedal further includes an elastic member 4, and the elastic member 4 is abutted against and between the pedal frame 1 and the base 2 so that the positioning member 3 has a tendency to move toward the positioning body 22, which provides automatic locking to prevent loosening and release.

[0020] According to the present invention, the positioning member 3 further includes a first limitation portion 32, the first limitation portion 32 is disposed on a side of the positioning member 3 facing the second frame portion 12, the second frame portion 12 further includes a second limitation portion 13, the second limitation portion 13 and the first limitation portion 32 are coaxially arranged, and two ends of the elastic member 4 are positioned to the first limitation portion 32 and the second limitation portion 13, respectively, to provide stable combination of the elastic member 4 to the positioning member 3 and the second frame portion 12. The first limitation portion 32 may be a shaft, and the second limitation portion 13 may be a hole.

[0021] According to the present invention, the positioning member 3 further includes an insertion portion 33 and a first slot 34, the insertion portion 33 is generally rectangular and tubular, the first slot 34 is disposed on the insertion portion 33 and extends in the action direction 6, the first limitation portion 32 is received in the first slot 34, the second frame portion 12 includes a second slot 14 extending in the action direction 6, the second limitation portion 13 is received in the second slot 14, the first slot 34 is in communication with the second slot 14, the positioning member 3 is movable between the unfolded position and the folded position, and the insertion portion 33 is normally inserted within the second slot 14 so that the elastic member 4 is entirely not within the inner region 17 and can operate smoothly without interference.

[0022] The base 2 may further include at least one third coupling unit 24, and the at least one third coupling unit 24 is disposed on the main body 21. In this embodiment, the at least one third coupling unit includes four third coupling units 24 which are grooves, and each of opposing sides of the main body 21 includes two of the four third coupling units 24. When the pedal frame 1 is located in the folded position, the positioning member 3 moves toward the base 2 so that the two second coupling units 31 and the main body 21 and the four third coupling units 24 are engaged with each other and the pedal frame 1 is restricted in the folded position. As the position of the pedal frame 1 varies, the positioning member 3 can move in the action direction 6 to abut different positions of the base 2 to maintain the position of the pedal frame 1.

[0023] In one embodiment, the foldable pedal further includes a rotatable connection unit 5, the rotatable connection unit 5 is rotatably connected to the two first frame portions 11 and the main body 21, and the positioning member 3 further includes at least one abutting portion 35. In this embodiment, the at least one abutting portion includes two abutting portions 35, when the two second coupling units 31 and two of the four third coupling units 24 engaged with each other, the two abutting portions 35 are abutted against the rotatable connection unit 5, which improves the positioning ability of the positioning member 3 so that the pedal frame 1 can resist gravity, shaking or other unexpected external forces and maintain the folded position.

[0024] In this embodiment, the rotatable connection unit 5 includes two sleeves 51 and two threaded members 52, the two sleeves 51 project from the main body 21 and inserted in the two grooves 15 on the two blocking portions 16, and the two threaded members 52 are disposed through the two first frame portions 11 and screwed to the two sleeves 51. When the pedal frame 1 is located in the unfolded position, even the two threaded members 52 become loose, the two blocking portions 16 can block the positioning body 22 in the action direction 6, so that the pedal frame 1 is still stably combined with the base 2 and will not separate, allowing rider to continue the pedaling.

[0025] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A foldable pedal including: a pedal frame (1) including two first frame portions (11), a second frame portion (12) and two blocking portions (16), the two first frame portions (11) respectively extending in an action direction (6), the second frame portion (12) being transversely connected to and between the two first frame portions (11) to define an inner region (17), the two blocking portions (16) respectively projecting from the two first frame portions (11) and being gradually close to each other in a direction transverse to the action direction (6); a base (2) including a main body (21), a positioning body (22) and at least one first coupling unit (23), the positioning body (22) being disposed on the main body (21), the at least one first coupling unit (23) being disposed on the positioning body (22), the main body (21) being rotatably connected to the pedal frame (1) so that the pedal frame (1) is swingable relative to the base (2) between an unfolded position and a folded position, wherein when the pedal frame (1) is located in the unfolded position, the positioning body (22) is located in the inner region (17) and is blockable by the two blocking portions (16) in the action direction (6), and when the pedal frame (1) is located in the folded position, the positioning body (22) is released from the inner region (17); a positioning member (3) including at least one second coupling unit (31) engageable with the at least one first coupling unit (23), and located between the two first frame portions (11) and movable in the inner region (17) in the action direction (6); and an elastic member (4), wherein the elastic member (4) is abutted against and between the pedal frame (1) and the base (2); wherein when the at least one first coupling unit (23) and the at least one second coupling unit (31) disengaged from each other, the pedal frame (1) is freely swingable relative to the base (2) between the unfolded position and the folded position, and when the at least one first coupling unit (23) and the at least one second coupling unit (31) are engaged with each other, the pedal frame (1) is restricted in the unfolded position; characterized in that the positioning member (3) further includes a first limitation portion (32), the first limitation portion (32) is disposed on a side of the positioning member (3) facing the second frame portion (12), the second frame portion (12) further includes a second limitation portion (13), the second limitation portion (13) and the first limitation portion (32) are coaxially arranged, and two ends of the elastic member (4) are positioned to the first limitation portion (32) and the second limitation portion (13), respectively; the positioning member (3) further includes an insertion portion (33) and a first slot (34), the first slot (34) is disposed on the insertion portion (33) and extends in the action direction (6), the first limitation portion (32) is received in the first slot (34), the second frame portion (12) includes a second slot (14) extending in the action direction (6), the second limitation portion (13) is received in the second slot (14), the first slot (34) is in communication with the second slot (14), the positioning member (3) is movable between the unfolded position and the folded position, and the insertion portion (33) is normally inserted within the second slot (14) so that the elastic member (4) is entirely not within the inner region (17).

2. The foldable pedal of claim 1, wherein the pedal frame (1) further includes two grooves (15) extending in the action direction (6) and through the first frame portion (11) and the blocking portion (16), respectively, and two sides of the positioning member (3) are slidably inserted in the two grooves (15), respectively.

3. The foldable pedal of claim 1, wherein the main body (21) is rotatably connected to and between the two blocking portions (16), and a distance between two sides (221) of the positioning body (22) facing the two first frame portions (11) increases in a direction away from the main body (21) so that a largest distance between the two sides (221) of the positioning body (22) is larger than a largest distance between the two blocking portions (16).

4. The foldable pedal of claim 3, wherein each of the two sides (221) of the positioning body (22) is inclined to the action direction (6), and an end of each of the two blocking portions (16) adjacent to the second frame portion (12) matches one of the two sides (221) of the positioning body (22).

5. The foldable pedal of claim 1, wherein the base (2) further includes at least one third coupling unit (24), the at least one third coupling unit (24) is disposed on the main body (21), and when the pedal frame (1) is located in the folded position, the positioning member (3) is movable toward the base (2) so that the at least one second coupling unit (31) and the at least one third coupling unit (24) are engaged with each other so that the pedal frame (1) is restricted in the folded position.

6. The foldable pedal of claim 5, further including a rotatable connection unit (5), wherein the rotatable connection unit (5) is rotatably connected to the two first frame portions (11) and the main body (21), the positioning member (3) further includes at least one abutting portion (35), and when the at least one second coupling unit (31) and the at least one third coupling unit (24) are engaged with each other, the at least one abutting portion (35) is abutted against the rotatable connection unit (5).

7. The foldable pedal of claim 1, wherein the pedal frame (1) further includes two grooves (15) extending in the action direction (6) and through the first frame portion (11) and the blocking portion (16), respectively, and two sides of the positioning member (3) are slidably inserted in the two grooves (15), respectively; the main body (21) is rotatably connected to and between the two blocking portions (16), and a distance between two sides (221) of the positioning body (22) facing the two first frame portions (11) increases in a direction away from the main body (21) so that a largest distance between the two sides (221) of the positioning body (22) is larger than a largest distance between the two blocking portions (16); each of the two sides (221) of the positioning body (22) is inclined to the action direction (6), and end of each of the two blocking portions (16) adjacent to the second frame portion (12) matches one of two sides (221) of the positioning body (22); the base (2) further includes at least one third coupling unit (24), the at least one third coupling unit (24) disposed on the main body (21), and when the pedal frame (1) is located in the folded position, the positioning member (3) is movable toward the base (2) so that the at least one second coupling unit (31) and the at least one third coupling unit (24) are engaged with each other so that the pedal frame (1) is restricted in the folded position; the foldable pedal further includes a rotatable connection unit (5), the rotatable connection unit (5) is rotatably connected to the two first frame portions (11) and the main body (21), the positioning member (3) further includes at least one abutting portion (35), and when the at least one second coupling unit (31) and the at least one third coupling unit (24) are engaged with each other, the at least one abutting portion (35) is abutted against the rotatable connection unit (5); the first limitation portion (32) is a shaft, and the second limitation portion (13) is a hole; the insertion portion (33) is generally rectangular and tubular; the at least one first coupling unit includes two first coupling units (23) which are grooves, the at least one second coupling unit includes two second coupling units (31) which are projections, the at least one third coupling unit (24) includes four third coupling units (24) which are grooves, and each of opposing sides of the main body (21) includes two of the four third coupling units (24); the rotatable connection unit (5) includes two sleeves (51) and two threaded members (52), the two sleeves (51) project from the main body (21) and inserted in the two grooves (15) extending on the two blocking portions (16), and the two threaded members (52) are disposed through the two first frame portions (11) and screwed to the two sleeves (51), respectively.